In celebration of World Burlesque Day, Soul on Fire Dance, in Santa Ana, is co-hosting the World Record Attempt for the World’s Largest Online Burlesque Class. Last year the event reached 80 countries; this year the goal is to beat that and raise awareness about the benefits of the art of burlesque.

Burlesque is a style of dance that stems from theatre and comedy and features a tasteful element of tease. The art form has experienced a revival over the past 20 years, and, notably, it is a powerful mental health tool, which helps many participants with body confidence.

The studio’s founder, Ginger Fatale, enthused about the profound effect that burlesque has had on them.

“Burlesque has changed the way I inhabit and experience my body,” they said. “Growing up in the competitive dance world, I was criticized for having a larger chest and hips. I couldn’t have a ‘dancer’s body’ no matter how I tried. When I found burlesque, I was able to fully appreciate the beauty of all bodies — attractiveness goes far beyond the body types highlighted in popular media. I gained a sense of confidence that I don’t know I would have found elsewhere. Now, I love teaching the same values to my students: that your body is beautiful; you are capable of feeling embodied and sensual; and you deserve to be your whole self in that class and on that stage.”

Fatale has joined the call for 1,000 participants to be part of the attempt in honor of World Burlesque Day, which takes place annually on April 26. The purposes of both events are to raise awareness of the art form of burlesque, to bring together the many countries which have a scene, and to welcome any newcomers who may be curious to come and try a dance class via Zoom.

World Burlesque Day was created by entrepreneur and mental health ambassador Sapphira, and it has included an online challenge each year to foster a sense of excitement and community.

“I am so honored to have been asked by Sapphira to co-host World Burlesque Day’s World Record Attempt,” said Fatale. “As a licensed mental health clinician and board-certified dance/movement therapist, I have observed that the powers of dance and movement can have a profound impact on one's mental health, and I can’t wait for more people to experience this art form and the benefits it can have for their lives.

“The burlesque scene in Los Angeles is thriving, and I hope that we can continue to grow the scene in Orange County,” they added. “Soul on Fire Dance provides the necessary safe space to try this fun, and often vulnerable, form of movement.”

In addition to Sapphira and Fatale hosting the event at Soul on Fire Dance in the USA and Ellie Etoile’s Burlesque participating in the UK, there are 40 schools, two festivals (Ibiza Burlesque Festival and Kootenay Burlesque Festival), and many individuals joining the initiative.

The record will be validated by the Official World Record Association, which is a world records register organization recognized by the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (Notaries of Europe) and official Notary Colleges worldwide. They will be attending online, from Barcelona, Spain, to ensure the event is conducted in accordance with the requirements to confirm the record, once the class is complete.